Latham's approach shuts the door on tolerance

Page Tools

It is an unfortunate aspect of Mark Latham's character that, in the midst of some seemingly well-balanced and thoughtful views on a number of important issues, he throws in a carefully crafted attempt to appeal to the bigoted and ill-informed aspects of our national character ("Latham takes tougher line on migration", Herald, April 21).

Leadership, apparently, is now not about convincing the people of the value of tolerance and respect for difference, but about following the worst herd instincts stirred up by radio shock jocks and conservative political pundits. In that respect he is a worthy student of John Howard.

His new approach to multi-culturalism is a good example. He has now defined the previous bipartisan policy of celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity as divisive and apparently wants us to focus on all being the same.

Mr Latham, diversity is not, and should never be, celebrated for itself. It should be celebrated for its ability to generate tolerance of difference, whether it is racial, cultural, sexual, religious, or political. The fundamental cause of the bulk of the world's current and past conflicts has been intolerance of difference. The basis of these conflicts has generally been the need to either eliminate those who are different, or to force "our" values, attitudes and culture upon "them".

Les MacDonald, Balmain, April 21.

I am shocked to find myself agreeing with Latham on multitribalism. Shocked, I tell you.

Peter Ness, Bardwell Valley, April 21.

Could it be that Mark Latham just happens to be one of those extremely rare politicians who can utter something other than that germane to being elected at the looming polls?

Richard Lynch, Waterloo, April 21.

"Latham takes a tougher line on migration" is history repeating itself.

The Howard Government made similar noises spurred on by the popularity of Pauline Hanson in the context of the last Labor government having lost control of immigration. The shoe is now on the other foot, with the Howard Government bringing in a record number of immigrants under all sorts of programs with minimal concern for the social, environmental and economic impacts on the ground - it doesn't pay for social and physical infrastructure.

But of course we'll have new programs that encourage immigrants to settle outside the cities - more fairy floss when you consider the lack of infrastructure and jobs, the limited ability of the non-metropolitan areas to absorb large numbers of immigrants (remember most people in Australian live in the cities) and the illusion that somehow the government can and will stop immigrants drifting back to the cities.

David Kitson, Lismore, April 21.

The Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW report A framework for whole of state development, dated July 2000, concluded that, "Programs to place newly arrived migrants in rural centres are naive." However, the report argued that an overall population increase of 75,000 in rural NSW was desirable and achievable by 2021.

Mark Latham recognises that "the costs of congestion are just as big as the costs of distance". But a rural growth program must be informed by soundly based studies, like the "whole of state" report.

By my reckoning, an immigration intake that was limited by Labor's 45 per cent rural location objective, while satisfying the report's 20-year NSW rural population growth target, would be an immigration program of about 75,000 per annum - about the level in the early years of the Howard Government.

Gordon Hocking, Oyster Bay, April 21.

In despair at governments' latest snub to women

Sarah Maddison's article ("With one fell swoop, women's voices are obliterated in NSW", Herald, April 21) expresses the anger, indignation and feeling of frustration that I and many women feel at the decline from commitment by governments, both federal and NSW, to equality for women and to programs to promote it.

The abolition of the NSW Department for Women is but the last dramatic manifestation of a process graphically outlined in Anne Summers's book The End of Equality.

I despair at the dispersing of the Department for Women's expertise. I despair for the women who might have benefitted from the modest programs promoted by the department.

I despair again at the NSW Government's display of its priorities, first dramatically demonstrated when, some four or five years ago it gave $11 million for the building of a stadium at Gosford to accommodate the wishes of the North Sydney Bears rugby league team. The Federal Government gave a similar amount. The money was wasted as league is no longer regularly played at the stadium. How can subsidising a sporting stadium for men, business and a professional game be a legitimate priority of government?

Where were the 30.6 per cent of NSW Labor parliamentarians who are women when this miserable dirty deed was done?

Has the women's movement made a mistake in lobbying for more women in Parliament only to see them become spear carriers for their parties in the theatre of politics?

I am, at 80, too old and tired to fight again. I despair that future generations of women will have to fight and lobby for equality of women, for the welfare of their less well-placed sisters and for the rights of approximately 51 per cent of their fellow citizens.

Joan Bielski, Wollstonecraft, April 21.

Bravo, Sarah Maddison. I share your outrage. How many more sleeps till the next election?

Kirsten Cameron, Leichhardt, April 21.

Sarah Maddison's article, headed "With one fell swoop, women's voices are obliterated in NSW", would have achieved greater credence, at least in this household, had somebody bothered to inform my wife and daughter of the changes.

Dave Robinson, Gladesville, April 21.

Too green for their own good

So, the new Sydney City Council has resolved to bring the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain under its tree preservation authority ("Enter Clover, to ringing applause", Herald, April 20). Does this mean ordinary council officials will now be able to override the decisions of gardens staff who are recognised world experts in their fields? The Greens do many good things, but this is not one of them.

R.J. Nicol, Avalon Beach, April 20.

Clover Moore, now that you are lord mayor as well as an MP, are you intending to add horticulturist/Botanic Gardens manager to your portfolio?

I would dearly love you to spend all that excess energy on the problem with the bats in the gardens. They are smelly, polluting and they are destroying the trees in which they roost.

This appears to be more of a problem than fighting for the trees on Hospital Road, which have a limited life. It also appears that the managers of the gardens have a long-term plan for these trees instead of a short- term play-to-the-gallery object.

G.M. Healey, Condell Park, April 21.

Deliver the goods

The decision to remove container shipping from Sydney Harbour is short-sighted and poorly evaluated ("Harbour's rich character finds diverse allies", Herald, April 21).

The short-sightedness comes from the impact on the main roads north and south from Sydney with increased container truck traffic having the potential to increase the risk of serious accidents and even more congestion.

The only bright side is that there is plenty of room on the rail lines through Sydney due to the downgrading of the commuter services.

If I was a conspiracy theorist I would put forward the idea that the Government engineered the train driver fiasco to free up the network for the freight trains. But that would take planning and forethought, wouldn't it?

Ross Fyfe, Lane Cove, April 21.

Nature needs money

Your editorial ("Carr fumbles green juggle", Herald, April 21) was excellent. Bob Carr deserves credit for investing in the parks system. It is seven times more cost-effective to conserve intact eco-systems than to try to re-establish them after degradation.

However, that investment will be squandered if cuts of $16 million in the first year and $20 million in the second come from the Environment and Conservation Department. This money is essential for the many complex management tasks which will determine whether the areas maintain their biodiversity.

The other critical task, agreed by science and anticipated in the Government's new approach to natural resource management, is to connect "island" national parks into networks of lands managed for conservation and sustainability. These initiatives are essential but require funding and, in particular, conservation staff to bring into effect.

If Bob Carr goes ahead with the long-term private lease of the quarantine station at North Head, his reputation as an environmental champion will be dismissed. By reversing this decision, he could be remembered as a visionary who refused to sell out.

By using the existing buildings at the quarantine station for an environmental education centre, Mr Carr's twin objectives of environmental protection and education can be achieved.

This magnificent site could become a showpiece for environmental awareness and concern, proclaiming the quarantine station's past and heralding our environmental future. Everyone would benefit.

Paul Lancaster, Riverview, April 21.

Fare fears

During the trial of the "no destination" taxi booking system the booking fee will increase by 30c to help facilitate this change ("Cabbies left in the dark on destinations", Herald, April 21). What additional costs are involved in the dispatcher not telling the driver the destination? Isn't this just a fare increase?

Neil Radford, Balmain East, April 21.

More US than the US

We can't complain about the Americanisation of the world when in recent years Australians have been in charge of global brands such as Ford, Coca-Cola and now McDonald's ("McDonald's tragedy turns clean-cut Kingsford boy into new burger king", Herald, April 21). Can we get an Australian into the White House?

Matthew Gibbs, Leichhardt, April 21.

Simple answer

Which bit of the question "Should Australia become a republic? Answer Yes or No", does Noel Hadjimichael (Letters, April 21) find vague?

James Mahoney, McKellar (ACT), April 21.

Christians and war

Wrong, Jon Guyer (Letters, April 21). My wife and I are both Christians, and find nothing obscene about the Hoff sculpture. On the contrary, its view of war is one that our faith supports.

Bruce Hanna, Heathcote, April 21.

Safety first

Your editorial ("The right alternative", Herald, April 20) concentrates on the issue of efficacy of alternative medicines, but does not go far enough in stressing the inadequacies of present safety standards.

My understanding is that substances may be eligible for listing as a complementary therapeutic agent if there is no evidence of substantial toxicity. There is no requirement for positive evidence of safety. This is in marked distinction to registered medications, which require extensive investigation and documentation of potential adverse effects, along with vigorous efforts to demonstrate efficacy.

These agents are not benign panaceas. The medical literature is increasingly drawing doctors' attention to serious adverse effects of listed complementary medicines. Studies have shown that a significant proportion of preparations are incorrectly labelled, contain contaminants or other active compounds, and some contain none of the stated active ingredient. Those ordered via the internet are probably more prone to irregularities.

Useless products, peddled by charlatans, may cause bruising of the ego and the hip-pocket. More worrying is their potential for harm. Let's hope the Government acts appropriately to protect consumers.

Dr Fergus Davidson, Russell Lea, April 21.

Hand over that info, desperate men here

Alastair Browne (Letters, April 21) asks his former female playmates to tell the media, if asked, "He knew what a woman wants." Could he please tell me?

Peter Margan, Rose Bay, April 21.

Not a certainty

So an Aboriginal woman pointed the bone at John Howard ("Aboriginal curse on PM", Herald, April 21). I bet he's scared now.

Ian Mcalpin, Ryde, April 21.

A rare occurrence

Well, whaddya know. Today, the 8.54 train to Granville was exactly on time.

Steve Goldberg, Dulwich Hill, April 21.

Pyrrhic victory in Athens

Sadly, if Ian Thorpe wins the Athens 400 metres freestyle gold, it will now be only a Claytons gold.

Mary Julian, Woollahra, April 21.

Inspect all bowlers

Today's ruling by the International Cricket Council to threaten to ban Muttiah Muralitharan for 12 months if he continues bowling the "doosra", when he is on the verge of breaking Courtney Walsh's most Test wickets record ahead of Shane Warne is more than a coincidence.

Shouldn't all bowlers at international level be put through the "arm straightening" laboratory, or does the rule apply only for Muralitharan?

Why are fast and medium pace bowlers allowed a greater degree of arm straightening than spinners when it is clear they have more to gain from straightening of the arm at the point of release?

R. A. Kasilingam, Nicholls (ACT), April 21.

I notice Murali's action has been declared dubious, but that's OK, we just have to change the rules to accommodate him.

Any chance of making this retrospective? Come back, Ian Meckiff - all is forgiven.

Les Tomlinson, Berowra Heights, April 21.

Well done, Stuart MacGill.

Tom Donnellan, Cessnock West, April 21.

Canine subterfuge

Why have all the plastic soft drink bottles filled with water disappeared from suburban nature strips?

Have the dogs taken their business elsewhere?

Craig Taylor, Ashbury, April 21.

China could lap them

Au contraire, John Christie (Letters, April 21), the real race is whether Athens or Beijing will finish their stadium first.

J. Owen, Baulkham Hills, April 21.

Down to the last letter

Wednesday 2pm: let the fireworks begin. For the first time I have completed the cryptic crossword. (Although I'm not absolutely sure about 28 across.)

Page Tools

Send your letters to:letters@smh.com.au
Fax: +61 (0)2 9282 3492
Snailmail: GPO Box 3771, Sydney 2001All letters and email (no attachments) to the Herald must carry the sender's home address and day and evening phone numbers for verification. Letter writers who would like receipt of their letters acknowledged should send a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Ideally, letters will be a maximum of 200 words. By submitting your letter for publication, you agree that we may edit the letter for legal, space or other reasonable reasons and may, after publication in the newspaper, republish it on the Internet or in other media.